Seabourn Spirit

Wind Star

**

Overall Score:** 86.1

Windstar’s three ships are not floating hotels or malls. They are genuine sailing ships, delivering modern luxuries as well as true nautical experiences, complete with portholes. The Wind Star, like its sister Wind Spirit, is a four-masted schooner, and its compact cabins are built for both comfort and efficient use of finite space. All three Windstar schooners sail in two of the most appealing cruise regions on earth: the Caribbean in winter, and Europe and the Mediterranean in summer. Wind Star favors the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, thence through the Panama Canal to the Caribbean. In April, it repositions east to Europe (returning west in November), where its seven-day itineraries include stops from Lisbon and Barcelona to Rome and Venice, and on to Aegean ports including Athens, Istanbul, and Mykonos in the Cyclades. The six triangular, computer-operated sails are more than decorative, but wind power only supplements the engine power required to meet schedules. All 74 cabins are cozy, yet big enough for queen-size beds and hi-tech toys, as well as daily fresh fruit and flowers. Being a small ship, it has only two restaurants—one formal, one casual, both with open seating—but you can also dine under the stars at the Candles grill.

**

Itineraries/Schedule:** 94.6

Shore Excursions: 76.5

Crew/Service: 94.1

Cabins: 80.5

Food/Dining: 91.5

Activites/Facilities: 78.6

Design/Layout: 86.2

Passengers: 148

Wind Spirit

**Overall Score: **92

[
9.
Silver Whisper
](/cruises/cruise-lines/silversea/silver-whisper)

**Overall Score: **92.5

Overall Score: 86.1

WInd Surf

**

Overall Score:** 86.1

Enormous by Windstar standards, the Wind Surf is still small by most cruise ship measures: six decks holding only 156 cabins. The Wind Surf is a sailing yacht, and its seven computer-operated, triangular sails are both decorative and efficient, adding wind power to the engines that keep the ship on schedule. Like all Windstar ships, it sails two of the most popular seas on earth: the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. It winters among several of the larger Lesser Antilles: Antigua, Martinique, St. Lucia, Dominica, and St. Barts. In spring, it repositions to Europe on a transatlantic cruise from Barbados to Lisbon, and begins itineraries in southern Europe ranging from Barcelona to Nice, Rome, and Venice. It then moves on to the Aegean for stops at Mykonos, Santorini, and Rhodes, and finally to Istanbul, Kuşadasi, and Bodrum on the Turkish coast. The Wind Surf has multiple eateries and a special emphasis on fitness, with a spa and a fitness center, two pools and two hot tubs, and a water sports platform at the stern from which you can kayak, windsurf, or water-ski.

**Itineraries/Schedule: **92.1

Shore Excursions: 72.3

Crew/Service: 91.4

Cabins: 85.7

Food/Dining: 89.3

Activites/Facilities: 80.4

Design/Layout: 90.6

Passengers: 312

Seabourn Pride

Like her sister ships the Legend and the Spirit, the **Seabourn Pride **has a staff-to-passenger ratio of nearly one to one. Guests stay in 104 suites, ranging from 277 to 575 square feet; 40 percent have balconies, and all have ocean views. Drinks at the four bars and lounges are included in your fare, as are all meals, even when you choose to opt for one of the smaller restaurants over the main dining room; each has a menu created by chef Charlie Palmer. Like her sister ships (which also score in the 90s on the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Survey), the Pride has a private marina, which extends from the rear of the ship, allowing guests to enjoy water sports even at sea. The Pride gets around: In addition to world cruises, she has Baltic, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Asian itineraries.

Seabourn Quest

Arethusa

[
14.
Artemis
](/cruises/cruise-lines/grand-circle/artemis)

Nieuw Amsterdam

Overall Score: 84.7

Maasdam

Overall Score: 84.8

Statendam

Overall Score: 85.5

Overall Score: 83.3

Noordam

**

Overall Score:** 83.3

The Noordam is one of the fleet’s four 1,900-plus-passenger Vista-class ships (along with the Oosterdam, Westerdam, and Zuiderdam). Introduced in 2002, the Vista class embraced some of the features that had become popular among other lines, particularly balconies, which two-thirds of the cabins have, but without compromising the traditional appeal of formal nights, string quartets, and superior service. To attract a more diverse age range, including multigenerational groups, Vista-class ships also have activities like cooking demonstrations and blogging lessons. The Noordam has thoughtfully designed kids’ facilities, but because most of its itineraries are ten days or longer (it has only a handful of weeklong trips), the majority of its Caribbean and Mediterranean sailings are unlikely to be overrun by small fry.

[
11.
Nautica
](/cruises/cruise-lines/oceania-cruises/nautica)

Volendam

Regatta

Amsterdam

Riviera

**

Overall Score: **91

[
6.
Marina
](/cruises/cruise-lines/oceania-cruises/marina)

Overall Score: 90.8

Seven Seas Mariner

Launched in 2001, Regent’s Seven Seas Mariner set a new standard for cruises: Every cabin was a suite with a balcony. She summers in the Mediterranean and the Aegean, and drifts from Florida to Rio in winter.

Seven Seas Voyager

Crystal Symphony

Along with the slightly larger Serenity, the service and amenities aboard the 461-cabin Crystal Symphony have sufficiently impressed Condé Nast Traveler readers that they have voted Crystal the world’s best large-ship cruise line in a record 17 Readers’ Choice surveys. Symphony was the first of the line’s two ships to go under the knife: a multimillion-dollar renovation completed in 2009 gave the ship a more contemporary feel. The Symphony and the Serenity have the same lineup of dining venues, including Silk Road (under the direction of celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa) and restaurateur Piero Selvaggio’s Prego. The Symphony will be spending summer 2011 on North America’s West Coast and summer 2012 in Europe; in fall foliage season, it can often be found off the New England and eastern Canadian coasts. Itineraries after March 2012 are all-inclusive, with complimentary wine and spirits and prepaid gratuities.

Mariner of the Seas

Jewel of the Seas

Overall Score: 82.3

Celebrity Reflection

Overall Score: 82.4

Crown Princess

** Overall Score: **83.4

Overall Score: 83.9

Diamond Princess

**

Overall Score:** 83.9

Condé Nast Traveler readers give high marks to the Diamond Princess for its itineraries, which take it to Alaska in the summers and on a wide variety of sailings around Asia, Australia, and New Zealand the rest of the year. Princess arranges these trips so that you can either book a small portion—say, 16 days in China and Southeast Asia—or connect separate legs to create a journey of a month or more that starts in Singapore and wends past Bangkok, Hong Kong, Vladivostok, and Sapporo (to name a few), before crossing the northern Pacific to the fjords and glaciers of the Inside Passage. For onboard entertainment during all the sea days (and nights), the ship has a poolside screen for movies (hot popcorn and blankets are distributed), as well as a nightclub on the top deck, which includes panoramic windows and several lounges where musicians play.

Celebrity Silhouette

Celebrity Equinox

The Celebrity Equinox is the second of the fleet’s top-of-the-line Solstice-class ships, the most remarkable feature of which is the half-acre lawn on the top deck, covered with real grass, where passengers picnic, lounge, and play croquet or bocce. Fort Lauderdale is its home port for winter cruises in the Caribbean, from Mexico to Barbados; Rome is home in summer for Mediterranean cruises; and two 14-night “repositioning” transatlantic cruises connect the two cities in April and November. The two-week cruises are the only option if you want to test all ten onboard dining venues. Three of them—Continental, Asian, and Italian kitchens—promise extra-special food and service for extra fees. The main dining room is a dramatic draw, however; it’s white and glittering, with a two-story wine rack at the center. A Mediterranean restaurant is only available to passengers who stay in the spa-class cabins, which also include free access to steam rooms and saunas.

Itineraries/Schedule: 94.3

Shore Excursions: 72.0

Crew/Service: 94.3

Cabins: 91.5

Food/Dining: 84.8

Activites/Facilities: 87.4

Design/Layout: 92.4

Passengers: 2,850

[
5.
Disney Magic
](/cruises/cruise-lines/disney/disney-magic)

**

Overall Score: **89

Celebrity Eclipse

The third ship in Celebrity’s stylish, five-ship Solstice class, the **Eclipse **debuted in Southampton, England, in April 2010. She has all the bells and whistles of her sisters, including the Lawn Club (home to the first half-acre patch of grass at sea), a glassblowing show, and a bar that serves “molecular gastronomy” cocktails. At the Eclipse’s innovative cybercafe, iLounge, passengers can take web design and digital photography classes and shop at an Apple store. Eclipse launched Qsine, an interactive restaurant with iPad wine lists, decorate-your-own cupcakes, crab dip that cooks at your table on heated lava rocks, and sushi presented as lollipops.

Itineraries/Schedule: 83.2

Shore Excursions: 68.3

Crew/Service: 93.7

Cabins: 96.9

Food/Dining: 90.6

Activites/Facilities: 89.7

Design/Layout: 95.3

Passengers: 2,850

[
3.
Disney Dream
](/cruises/cruise-lines/disney/disney-dream)

**

Overall Score: **90.3

Disney Wonder

One of the Disney Cruise Line’s first two ships, the **Disney Wonder **debuted in 1999, a year after her sister ship, the Magic. As with the Magic, the Wonder celebrates Disney characters and the artists who created them. The ship’s godmother was Tinkerbell, while all Disney ships include Animator’s Palate restaurants, whose interiors are decorated with sketches of characters and feature columns and walls at impossible fun-house angles. A show starring costumed cast members is the highlight of dinner. (Passengers who want a break from all the family fun can head to the adults-only Remy for French or Palo for Italian.) In 2011, the Wonder began offering Alaska itineraries in the summer; she sails in the Bahamas and along the Mexican Riviera in the fall and winter.

[
33.
Rossia
](/cruises/cruise-lines/grand-circle/rossia)

[
35.
River Aria
](/cruises/cruise-lines/grand-circle/river-aria)

**

Overall Score: **93.3

Overall Score: 89.0

Viking Pride

**

Overall Score:** 89.0

The 150-passenger Viking Pride has three identical sisters: the Europe, the Neptune, and the Spirit. The 75 staterooms on each are outside with river views, while the top two categories also have large picture windows that open. All measure 170 square feet, except for the 12 in category E, which are 120 square feet. As is true of all the ships in the line, excursions, from touring the Dutch Paleis Het Loo to attending an organ recital at St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Passau, are included in the fare. The Pride will be spending 2011 sailing the Danube, including the 15-day Grand European Tour from Amsterdam to Budapest; in 2012, she’ll be found on the Seine, in Paris and Normandy.

Itineraries/Schedule: 95.6

Shore Excursions: 94.6

Crew/Service: 94.8

Cabins: 87.2

Food/Dining: 86.5

Activites/Facilities: 78.9

Design/Layout: 85.3

Passengers: 150

Overall Score: 88.7

Viking Europe

**

Overall Score:** 88.7

The 150-passenger Viking Europe and its three identical sisters, the Neptune, the Pride, and the Spirit, were launched in 2001. Each of the ship's 75 staterooms is outside and has a river view; the top two categories have large picture windows that open. Almost all are 154 square feet, with only the 12 category-E cabins on the lowest deck measuring 120 square feet. Like many of the Viking River Cruises ships, wireless Internet is free. In 2011, the Europe will be sailing the "Grand European" itineraries from Amsterdam to Budapest, and the "Tulips and Windmills" tours through Belgium and the Netherlands; in 2012, she’ll be sailing itineraries in France.

Itineraries/Schedule: 93.6

Shore Excursions: 91.1

Crew/Service: 95.7

Cabins: 85.4

Food/Dining: 86.4

Activites/Facilities: 81.2

Design/Layout: 87.5

Passengers: 150

Overall Score: 87.1

Viking Sun

**

Overall Score:** 87.1

One of two sister ships (along with the Viking Helvetia) that sail the Rhine, the 198-passenger _Viking Sun _has 99 staterooms; all have river views and are stocked with L’Occitane products, and the 37 on the upper deck have French balconies with sliding glass doors. Five-course dinners are served in the white-linen restaurant on Villeroy & Boch china, with single-seating but unassigned tables. Since the Sun is a small ship, the onboard evening activities are largely limited to lectures and live music—no casino or Broadway-style revues—but that satisfies the Viking Rivers clientele. The Sun offers an eight-day cruise that ends in Amsterdam, a 15-day trip that ends in Antwerp, and two Rhine cruises, both of which start in Basel, Switzerland.

Viking Legend

Built for green cruising—with a hybrid engine that reduces vibrations, noise, and pollution—Viking Legend plies the Danube. As on other Viking Cruise river ships, ample glass provides ample views from any spot.

[
26.
River Adagio
](/cruises/cruise-lines/grand-circle/river-adagio)

Athena

**

Overall Score: **94.3

AmaDagio

**

Overall Score: **94.4

Overall Score: 87.6

Chardonnay

**

Overall Score:** 87.6

The smallest of Grand Circle’s vessels with only 27 cabins (like its younger sister, the Provence), the Chardonnay was launched in 1999. It was built to navigate shallow waterways and afford views. All cabins are exterior, and include twin beds that convert to sofas but not to double beds. The Chardonnay has made its reputation on epicurean journeys through the great wine regions of France. Starting in Mâcon, it plies the narrow Saône River down to its confluence with the Rhône in Lyon, where you'll need to loosen your belt: globally famous for its food, Lyon had 11 Michelin-starred restaurants as we reported this, and it's doubtful that will change significantly any time soon. From there, glide south via Tournon-sur-Rhône to Avignon and Arles in Provence.

Itineraries/Schedule: 95.2

Shore Excursions: 90.5

Crew/Service: 95.2

Cabins: 90.5

Food/Dining: 81.0

Activites/Facilities: 78.9

Design/Layout: 81.0

Passengers: 46

Overall Score: 89.7

Viking Spirit

**

Overall Score:** 89.7

The 150-passenger Viking Spirit has three identical sisters: the Europe, the Neptune, and the Pride. The 75 staterooms on each ship are outside with river views, while the top two categories of staterooms have large picture windows that open. All rooms measure 170 square feet, except for the 12 in category E, which are 120 square feet. As is true of all Viking ships, excursions on the Spirit, from touring Claude Monet’s house at Giverny to a guided walking tour of Rouen, Normandy’s historic capital, are included in the fare. The Spirit spends her time sailing the Seine between Paris and Normandy. Itineraries on the ship can be combined with sails on other Viking River Cruises ships to create a 15-day "France’s Finest" trip, extending from Avignon in the south to the beaches of Normandy in the north.

Viking Emerald

**

Overall Score:** 90.0

Launched in 2011, Viking’s 256-passenger Yangtze River option, the Emerald, sails through China year-round from Beijing to Shanghai and back, visiting the Great Wall and the Terra Cotta warriors along the way. The tour runs through the Three Gorges region, where a dam constructed just a few years ago has widened the river and allowed easier passage for riverboats; there’s also an optional tour of Tibet. Onboard, you can learn tai chi and mah jong. English-speaking tour guides are available from the beginning of your trip to the end. The line has also partnered with Martin Yan to devise Chinese dinner menus that appeal to Western palates.

Itineraries/Schedule: 93.3

Shore Excursions: 93.3

Crew/Service: 93.3

Cabins: 81.7

Food/Dining: 90.0

Activites/Facilities: 88.3

Design/Layout: 90.0

Passengers: 256

Viking Longship Idun

**

Overall Score: **94.7

Viking Longship Freya

**

Overall Score: **94.8

Overall Score: 86.0

Bizet

**

Overall Score:** 86.0

The long and low Bizet has just three decks, culminating in a broad Sun Deck up top, so passengers can see the many twists and turns on its one and only—and understandably popular—itinerary: along the Seine from Honfleur, through Rouen and Giverny to Paris. In inclement weather, the forward lounge on the middle Soprano Deck has panoramic windows and a bar. All 60 cabins are exterior, and include twin beds that convert to sofas but not to double beds. _Condé Nast Traveler _readers give high marks to the French itinerary, of course, but also to the crew for the level of service.

Itineraries/Schedule: 92.5

Shore Excursions: 87.5

Crew/Service: 92.5

Cabins: 77.5

Food/Dining: 85.0

Activites/Facilities: 80.0

Design/Layout: 87.2

Passengers: 120

Viking Ingvar

River Concerto

**

Overall Score:** 91.1

One of several sister ships, the long, low River Concerto has Grand Circle’s signature look: white paint, blue trim, lots of big windows. It surpasses its sisters, however, because three times a year it embarks on Grand Circle’s most ambitious European cruise: a 26-day itinerary from Amsterdam to Bucharest via the Rhine, the Main, and the Danube rivers (plus a canal or two). You glide past the shores of nine countries, with stops at ports including Cologne, Nuremberg, Vienna, Budapest, and Belgrade. The 70 cabins are designed for comfort (except, perhaps, for the immovable twin beds), with full bathrooms, ample storage, and great views. Some have balconies, but on clear days, passengers gather on the rooftop sundeck for full panoramas of the passing old-world river towns, castles, and farmlands.

Itineraries/Schedule: 97.4

Shore Excursions: 92.3

Crew/Service: 100.0

Cabins: 79.5

Food/Dining: 94.7

Activites/Facilities: 82.1

Design/Layout: 92.1

Passengers: 140

[
13.
River Melody
](/cruises/cruise-lines/grand-circle/river-melody)

**

Overall Score: **95.3

[
11.
Tikhi Don
](/cruises/cruise-lines/grand-circle/tikhi-don)

**

Overall Score: **95.5

Viking Longship Njord

**

Overall Score: **95.5

Viking Rurik

**

Overall Score: **95.6

Viking Helvetia

Airy and elegant, Viking Helvetia cruises the Rhine for Viking River Cruises. Europe’s shores are always within view through panoramic windows and large picture windows in staterooms, and from open-air decks.